An ode to ale...

What I'm about to admit to feels almost sacrilegious to me, but I'll go ahead and suck it up and just say it: I'm in love with an American..... beer.

I will fully cop to being a snob about certain things: coffee, ketchup, laundry detergent (only Tide will suffice in this house) and beer. I love my Canadian microbrews. I've always been a big fan of the St Ambroise Apricot Wheat Ale (Montreal), but I think I've found a new favorite. And it's brewed in the ol' U S of A (but at least it's West Coast USA).

Pyramid Apricot Ale is similar to the above, but just a bit sweeter. As someone who loves reislings and gewurztraminers (fruity white wines), I love fruity beer too. As summer draws to a close and we enjoy these last few warmish days of summer, I will indulge in my right to enjoy a wobbly pop in the late afternoon on a Saturday. Cheers!

Dork-tastic!

Smock it to me baby...

I meant to post these pictures ages ago, but they got lost in the shuffle. My mom, with whom I credit much of my craftiness, resurrected her talent for smocking to make Lexi a beautiful blue summer dress a couple of months ago. I vividly remember posing for family pictures at the Sears studio as a 3 or 4 year old in my own white smocked dress with my little sister, and my mom kept the dress and passed it on to me. Lexi won't fit into it for another year or two yet, but until then, she's got this snazzy blue number. This will have to be next on my list of craft techniques to learn, along with quilting. I've also been itching to take up knitting again, and plan on fashioning some window coverings for Lexi's room, as well as our closets.

We've been keeping busy over the last couple of weeks. Our roof has officially been repaired (ouch, that will hurt the Amex, but it had to be done), and Lexi has been tagging along while I run various errands and go to appointments in preparation for back to work. I did manage to sneak off yesterday for a couple of hours to have my hair highlighted and cut at Refresh Salon in Port Moody. While I do love love my stylist in Kits, I just cannot stomach the drive into Vancouver (and the parking, and the price tag) so I'm thrilled to find a great place close to home. I saw Natalie, and I'll go back for sure.

I'll be heading into my 2 schools next week to set up my classrooms. I'll be coming out of library and Resource this year and going back into the classroom. At my main school, I'll be doing a Grade 1/2 class share for 3 days a week, and for my other 1 day a week, I'll be doing a straight Grade 1 class share. I do love that age, but it will be exhausting. I have Thursdays off this year instead of Fridays, which I'm a bit disappointed about, but since this was the FIRST year I didn't get laid off, beggars can't be choosers. I'm looking forward to the new challenge.

Summer Fun

Some shots from recent visits to VanDusen Gardens and the Vancouver Aquarium.

Life's a Beach...

the whole fam-damily...

It was a full on lady party at the house yesterday (sorry Doug). My Nana, Aunt Liz, Aunt Barb and Catherine came over for a visit. Nana is visiting from Newfoundland and Aunt Liz from Ontario. Lexi had a great time hamming it up for everyone and got spoiled with presents. Looking forward to another get together before everyone has to leave again!